Looks like we (almost) made it ♪ It’s Friday, March 8, and the NHL’s trade deadline is upon us. After 3:00 p.m. ET today, no more trades can be made.
In addition to acquiring Vladimir Tarasenko for a jester’s ransom (actually two drafts picks) on Wednesday, Florida Panthers general manager Bill Zito took care of some more important business yesterday by signing key defenseman Gustav Forsling to an eight-year, $46 million extension and he also retained the services of Jonah Gadjovich, inking the physical forward for two more seasons at the NHL minimum of $775K.
So, what will Zito & Co. do today? With the Ottawa Senators retaining half of Tarasenko’s salary, the Panthers could add more to the roster.
Most of the big names, including Jake Guentzel – who went to the Carolina Hurricanes late last night, are off the board already as the contenders didn’t wait until the last minute to pounce on their respective targets.
As we saw when the Cats ran out of healthy bodies against Vegas in the Stanely Cup Final, you can never have enough depth, so I’d expect the Panthers to make one more addition today.
It won’t be fan favorite Anthony Duclair. The Duke is back in the Sunshine State, but he’ll be lacing ’em up for the Tampa Bay Lightning the rest of the season.
Find a rumor? Want to share it? By all means do so but PLEASE cite the source (just saving you time here as you’ll be flooded with the inevitable – and completely understandable – “Got a link?” responses).